Disney's Aladdin (SNES, 1993)
Surprisingly fun licensed game from Capcom.
Nostalgia Factor: High. We frequently rented this one in my younger days.
Difficulty: Medium. Controlling Aladdin can be a frustrating battle sometimes.
One of the commonly revisited debates within the greater SNES vs Genesis rivalry was the question of “which console had the better Aladdin game?” Of course, gameplay preference and nostalgia are major driving factors here. Growing up, I had a SNES, not a Genesis. I’ve played both versions, and I strongly prefer the SNES version, though I do admit that nostalgia weighs heavily in that decision.
Based on some cursory research, the consensus seems to slightly favor the Genesis Aladdin. Virgin USA, the developers of Earthworm Jim, actually partnered with Disney animators in creating Aladdin for the Genesis. You can tell that the sprite animation and coloring in Virgin’s Aladdin game is a notch above.
Virgin gave Aladdin a sword, and the game contains much less platforming than Capcom’s counterpart. This is probably for the best, since the platforming that is in the game is a little wonky. Level 8, “Inside the Lamp,” is notoriously frustrating. Also, the final boss in the Genesis Aladdin is a major disappointment. For whatever reason, Aladdin’s sword is useless against Jafar, so Aladdin has to resort to chucking apples at Jafar and Snake Jafar until he’s defeated — very anti-climactic.
The Genesis Aladdin has a lot of strengths, but it’s clear that Capcom’s SNES version has better level design and much smoother platforming. Even though the sprite animations may not compare with the Genesis version, the visuals in Capcom’s Aladdin are still very good. Capcom are still recognized today for their legacy of tight gameplay, vibrant artwork, and solid level design.
Even though the SNES Aladdin cover art pictures him with a sword, Aladdin does not use a sword in Capcom’s game. He instead can jump on enemies or kick them while swinging from a peg. There’s something incredibly gratifying about that Capcom “BRAMP” sound effect when pouncing on an enemy. Aladdin gets a sheet to use as a glider, and he can throw apples to stun. Overall, the gameplay is quite enjoyable. Virgin’s Aladdin feels more like Earthworm Jim, and Capcom’s Aladdin feels more like their other platformers, which I strongly prefer.
One downside in Capcom’s version is that Aladdin’s momentum can be frustrating at times. It can be difficult to control the trajectory of his fall. He doesn’t seem to want to fall straight down, but always at a slight angle. You may find yourself unintentionally landing on spikes or falling into the void. Also, the timing required to get the high jump from bouncing off an enemy feels inconsistent. The soundtrack is fine, but it’s been noted that the Genesis version features more recognizable tracks from the Disney film.
Overall, both the Genesis and SNES versions of Aladdin are worth a playthrough. My favorite happens to be Capcom’s SNES version, though I understand why some favor the Genesis version. Which one is your favorite?